Guide for emplacement of insignia



A ril 21, 1964 c. E. BEST 3,129,515

GUIDE FOR EMPLACEMENT OF INSIGNIA Filed June 19, 1962 IN VENTOR Carlea 27. 3552;

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,129,515 GUIDE FOR EMPLACEMENT 0F INSIGNIA Charles Edmund Best, Ironwood, Mich, assignor to Atlas Crystal Works, Covington, Tenn., a corporation of Tennessee Filed June 19, 1962, Ser. No. 203,576 11 Claims. (Cl. 33-180) This invention relates to a geometric guide, or template, which assists in properly positioning insignia, preparatory to fastening such items on articles of uniform. While the device has particular reference to use in the military forces, and specifically army uniforms in the example shown, it will find application in respect to uniforms in general, wherein strict requirements of usage govern.

The problem of positioning insignia is not trivial in nature, since the orientation of the item and the estimation of spacing distances are both illusory in character. For instance, in trials involving the estimation of an inch of length, it has been found that errors running as high as 50% are commonplace. Considering the penalties involved in being out of uniform the matter becomes one of some importance.

- In all branches of the military service, the principal items of insignia are carried on headgear, lapels and shirt collars, and the locations of these are circumscribed by strict requirements related to the geometry of the item of uniform involved. More specifically, the positioning involves features of parallelism with, and spacing from, certain specific edges or folds of the clothing, and it is a general object of the invention to provide a template, adapted to promptly and accurately locate the position for the insignia, by superposition over the garment.

A further object is to provide a guide which has application to a plurality of articles of uniform.

More specifically, it is an object to provide a guide or finder, which involves indices of both orientation and spacing, combined in a single instrument.

These and other objects are attained in satisfactory measure by the device of the present invention, which may be briefly described as comprising an L-form unit, preferably of transparent plastic, with parallel guide lines in one limb of the L, and a fish-tail slot in the outer end of the other limb, together with orthogonal guide lines associated with the apex of the slot.

For a more detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the following specification, as illustrated in the drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a garrison cap, with the template superposed thereon, and an insignia of rank positioned with the aid of the template,

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the cap of FIGURE 1, as seen from the right of that figure,

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, showing the template, and an insignia of unit in place.

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of the lapel area of a jacket, showing the position of the template in relation to upper and lower items of insignia on both lapels,

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4, showing a different item of insignia,

FIGURE 6 is a front elevational view of a shirt collar showing insignia and templates,

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6, showing a diflerent item of insignia, and

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the template.

Referring to the drawing by characters of reference, there is shown, in FIGURE 8, a planiform template 10, of clear plastic, in the general shape of an L, with perpendicularly disposed legs 12 and '14, the former being wholly rectangular, and the latter having parallel sides,

3,129,515 Patented Apr. 21, 1964 and a V slot 16 in its end edge, extending from the sides of leg 14 to an inner vertex 18, located mid-way of the width of the leg. The leg 14 also has a pair of perpendicularly disposed reticles 20, 22, intersecting at slot vertex 18, reticle 20 being parallel to the sides of leg 14, and reticle 22 being perpendicular to said sides. The leg 12 has a series of four reticles 24, parallel to the sides of leg 12 and to each other, and distributed in equal spacing across the leg 12, and a short reticle 26, perpendicular to leg 26, and midway of the length thereof, extends from the outer edge of leg 12 to the first of the reticles 24.

The dimensions involved in the template are related to its usage, the leg :12 being one inch in width and 2% inches in length on its outer edge, and the leg 14 being 1%. inches in width, and 3 7 inches in length on its outer edge. Reticle 22 and vertex 18 are located about 1 inches from the outer end of leg 14. The thickness of the sheet is about inch. The inner edge of leg '14 is aligned with mark 26, and its outer end is 3 inches from the inner end of mark 26.

Illustrating use of the device in connection with items of US. Army uniform, and with particular reference to the requirements of Army Regulation AR 670-5, dated 28 September, 1959, Section X thereof, three examples are given in the drawing. In FIGURES 1 to 3 there is shown a garrison cap 28, bearing an item of insignia 30, denoting the rank of captain. The most important element of reference in the cap for locating the emblem is the forward, vertical, creased edge 32, one requirement being that the shortest distance between the insignia and this edge be one inch. In addition, it is required that the insignia be located midway between the top and bottom edges, 34, 36, respectively, of the outer fold, or flap 38, and that it be oriented so as to be upright with respect to lower edge 36 as a base line. Thus it is merely necessary to place the narrow leg 12 on the flap 38, with one edge coinciding with the reference crease 32, which immediately locates the one inch spacing as being along the line of the opposite edge of the leg 12, the leg being exactly one inch in width. In this use, the outer edge of leg 12 is used as the locator, to afford full clearance for positioning the emblem on the cap, while the template is still in place. Leg 12 has a length slightly less than the width of flap 38, at crease 32, so as to be readily centered on the flap, visually, and fine adjustment in the centering of the emblem is accomplished with the aid of the short reticle, or mark, 26, as a sighting means. In the case of rectangular emblems, such as the bars in emblem 30, orientation is easily accomplished by abutting it against the edge of the template. In the case of other shapes of emblems, such as the shield 40 in FIG- URE 3, centering is still facilitated by reference to mark 26, which is also of assistance in orientation by comparison with marks in the emblem.

In the case of shirt collars, the emblems are also located one inch from a forward edge, and centered between top and bottom. Thus, in FIGURE 6 there is shown an example of ofiicers dress, in which the rank insignia 30 is located one inch from a forward collar edge 42, by coinciding one edge of leg 12 therewith, and centered between a lower edge 44 and an upper edge 46. The unit insignia 48, on the other side of the collar, is similarly located. In FIGURE 7, the operation is shown for an emblem 49 on an enlisted mans collar.

In the case of uniform coats, as illustrated in FIG- URES 4 and 5, the insignia must be located on a line 50, which is parallel to the inner edge 52 of a lapel 54, and passes approximately through the vertex of V slot 56 of the lapel, the insignia being spaced inch from this vertex. In the case of a commissioned ofiicers uniform,

I 3 as in FIGURE 4, there are two insignia 58, 66, on each lapel, located, respectively, above and below the vertex, and in the case of enlisted men, one insignia 62 (FIG. 5) is used, above the slot. In this use, both legs of the template are employed in locating the position of the insignia. First, the vertex 18 of the fishtail of the template is placed in coincidence with the vertex of slot 56 of the lapel, and with this coincidence maintained, the template is swung until the outer edge of leg 12 is brought into parallelism with edge 52. The distance from edge 52 to the vertex of the slot will vary among the different coats, and for this reason the leg 12 is provided with the parallel reticles 24, so that a fine adjustment of the parallelism is afforded in all cases.

Since the removal and replacement of insignia is of frequent occurrence, for cleaning, repair, replacement, and other reasons, the problem of complying with regulations becomes complicated, and attended with the likelihood of irregularities. By the use of the device of this invention, which is of universal and elfective application, yet simple and unobtrusive, the personal equation is largely cancelled out as a factor, leading to a pattern of cornpliance with minimized eiforts.

Although a specific embodiment has been shown, modifications will be apparent, in the light of this disclosure, and the invention should not, therefore, be deemed as limited, except insofar as shall appear from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A template for spotting insignia on articles of uniform, comprising an L-form, transparent, planiform element, having a first leg, and a second leg, each having parallel sides and of constant width, and arranged in mutually perpendicular relationship, said first leg having a plurality of guide lines parallel to its side edges and spaced uniformly across the width of said first leg, and a guide line perpendicular to its side edges, midway of its outer side edge, and between said outer side edge and the nearmost of said plurality of guide lines, and said second leg having a V notch in its outer end edge, with edges meeting the side edges of said second leg in acute angles, and meeting in a vertex located midway of the width of said second leg, a transverse guide line disposed perpendicularly to the side edges of said second leg and passing through said vertex, and a longitudinal guide line arranged perpendicularly to said transverse guide line, and meeting said vertex.

2. A template for spotting insignia on articles of uniform, comprising an L-form, transparent, planiform element, having a first leg, and a second leg, each having parallel sides and of constant width, and arranged in mutually perpendicular relationship, said first leg having a plurality of guide lines parallel to its side edges and spaced uniformly across the width of said first leg, and a guide line perpendicular to its side edges, midway of its outer side edge, and between said outer side edge and the nearmost of said plurality of guide lines, and said second leg having a V notch in its outer end edge, With edges meeting the side edges of said second leg in acute angles, and meeting in a vertex located midway of the width of said second leg, a transverse guide line disposed perpendicularly to the side edges of said second leg and passing through said vertex, and a longitudinal guide line arranged perpendicularly to said transverse guide line, and meeting said vertex, said first leg being one inch in width.

3. A template for spotting insignia on articles of uniform, comprising an L-form, transparent, planiform element, having a first leg, and a second leg, each having parallel sides and of constant width, and arranged in mutually perpendicular relationship, said first leg having a plurality of guide lines parallel to its side edges and spaced uniformly across the width of said first leg, and a guide line perpendicular to its side edges, midway of its outer side edge, and between said outer side edge and the nearmost of said plurality of guide lines, and said second leg having a V notch in its outer end edge, with edges meeting the side edges of said second leg in acute angles, and meeting in a vertex located midway of the width of said second leg, a transverse guide line disposed perpendicularly to the side edges of said second leg and passing through said vertex, and a longitudinal guide line arranged perpendicularly to said transverse guide line, and meeting said vertex, said plurality of guide lines being four in number.

4. A template for spotting insignia on articles of uniform, comprising an L-form, transparent, planiiorm element, having a first leg, and a second leg, each having parallel sides and of constant width, and arranged in mutually perpendicular relationship, said first leg having a plurality of guide lines parallel to its side edges and spaced uniformly across the width of said first leg, and a guide line perpendicular to its side edges, midway of its outer side edge, and between said outer side edge and the nearmost of said plurality of guides lines, and said second leg having a V notch in its outer end edge, with edges meeting the side edges of said second leg in acute angles, and meeting in a vertex located midway of the width of said second leg, a transverse guide line disposed perpendicularly to the side edges of said second leg and passing through said vertex, and a longitudinal guide line arranged perpendicularly to said transverse guide line, and meeting said vertex, said first leg being one inch in width, and said plurality of guide lines being four in number.

5. A template for spotting insignia on articles of uniform, comprising an L-form, transparent, planiform element, having a first leg, and a second leg, each having parallel sides and of constant width, and arranged in mutually perpendicular relationship, said first leg having a plurality of guide lines parallel to its side edges and spaced uniformly across the width of said first leg, and a guide line perpendicular to its side edges, midway of its outer side edge, and between said outer side edge and the nearmost of said plurality of guide lines, and said second leg having a V notch in its outer end edge, with edges meeting the side edges of said second leg in acute angles, and meeting in a vertex located midway of the width of said second leg, a transverse guide line disposed perpendicularly to the side edges of said second leg and passing through said vertex, and a longitudinal guide line arranged perpendicularly to said transverse guide line, and meeting said vertex, said second leg being 1%, inches in width.

6. A template for spotting insignia on articles of uniform, comprising an L-form, transparent, planiform element, having a first leg, and a second leg, each having parallel sides and of constant width, and arranged in mutually perpendicular relationship, said first leg having a plurality of guide lines parallel to its side edges and spaced uniformly across the width of said first leg, and a guide line perpendicular to its side edges, midway of its outer side edge, and between said outer side edge and the nearmost of said plurality of guide lines, and said second leg having a V notch in its outer end edge, with edges meeting the side edges of said second leg in acute angles, and meeting in a vertex located midway of the width of said second leg, a transverse guide line disposed perpendicularly to the side edges of said second leg and passing through said vertex, and a longitudinal guide line arranged perpendicularly to said transverse guide line, and meeting said vertex, said first leg being one inch in width, and second leg being 1% inches in width.

7. A template for spotting insignia on articles of uniform, comprising an L-form, transparent, planiform element, having a first leg, and a second leg, each having parallel sides and of constant width, and arranged in mutually perpendicular relationship, said second leg having a V notch in its outer end edge with edges meeting the side edges of said second leg in acute angles, and meeting in a vertex located midway of the width of said second leg.

8. A template for spotting insignia on articles of uniform, comprising an L-form, transparent, planiform element, having a first leg, and a second leg, each having parallel sides and of constant width, and arranged in mutually perpendicular relationship, said second leg having a V notch in its outer end edge, with edges meeting the side edges of said second leg in acute angles, and meeting in a vertex located midway of the width of said second leg, said first leg being one inch in width.

9. A template for spotting insignia on articles of uniform, comprising an L-form, transparent, planiform element, having a first leg, and a second leg, each having parallel sides and of constant width, and arranged in mutually perpendicular relationship, said second leg having a V notch in its outer end edge, with edges meeting the side edges of said second leg in acute angles, and meeting in a vertex located midway of the width of said second leg, said second leg being 1% inches in width.

10. A template for spotting insignia on articles of uniform, comprising an L-form, transparent, planiforrn element, having a first leg, and a second leg, each having parallel sides and of constant width, and arranged in mutually perpendicular relationship, said second leg having a V notch in its outer end edge, with edges meeting the side edges of said second leg in acute angles, and meeting in a vertex located midway of the width of said second leg, said first leg being one inch in width, and said second leg being 1% inches in width.

11. A device as in claim 10, the width of said second leg being approximately equal to half of the length of said first leg.

No references cited. 

7. A TEMPLATE FOR SPOTTING INSIGNIA ON ARTICLES OF UNIFORM, COMPRISING AN L-FORM, TRANSPARENT, PLANIFORM ELEMENT, HAVING A FIRST LEG, AND A SECOND LEG, EACH HAVING PARALLEL SIDES AND OF CONSTANT WIDTH, AND ARRANGED IN MUTUALLY PERPENDICULAR RELATIONSHIP, SAID SECOND LEG HAVING A V NOTCH IN ITS OUTER END EDGE WITH EDGES MEETING THE SIDE EDGES OF SAID SECOND LEG IN ACUTE ANGLES, AND MEETING IN A VERTEX LOCATED MIDWAY OF THE WIDTH OF SAID SECOND LEG. 